We will continue with the following verse from Section Ya-Seen of the Qur’an from where we last left off mentioning the many benefits we experience in this universe:
وَذَلَّلْنَـٰهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ
36:72 And We have subjected them to men’s will, so that some of them they may use for riding and some for food,
We understand the term “أَنْعَـٰمًۭ” generally as “blessings”, all the blessings that are given to us including cattle, which is the literal translation. We can see the trees, plants, air, sun etc. that are all serving us. These are bounties, blessings that are freely provided as a gift from our creator. The verse mentions that all these created blessings are now subjected to man’s will where man can use them in different ways such as the means of transportation and for food. We can use the plants and animals as we want. For example, with animals, some are used in farming, some as pets, some are hunted for food. The phrase “ذَلَّلْنَـٰهَا لَهُمْ” is translated as “subjected them to men’s will”. Why do these kinds of verses list the obvious things to us?
I must see that they are specifically created for our service. We have the option to use them with no owner, no purpose in their existence or acknowledge that they cannot defend by themselves but have an Owner. The most important word to pay attention to in the verse is “We” indicating that all those blessings have an Owner. I must question: Who is the agent behind the creation of these blessings? Can they exist by themselves?
Another question: Can we treat animals as we like since they are subjected to us? Obviously not. Why not? Those who do not see them as being created, that they have a conscious Creator who has consciously provided them for human use, are also denying their own existence, their human nature. These animals cannot be the result of accidents, naturally existing. By denying the purposeful creation of the beings, they deny their own being as without purpose. When they declare that we need to respect animals, plants, and the environment, they are negating their own ideology because if these animals were accidental, purposeless beings why should we respect them, treat them kindly?It is obvious that treating them cruelly is contradictory to human nature. Is it not a sign that our feelings and their existence are connected perfectly and deliberately so that we should realize that the existence of everything is arranged by a Conscious Agent?
Nowadays, we see the impact of materialist scientists who terrorize with their ideology where no one should be allowed to come up with a contradictory idea to theirs under the umbrella of science. They are consciously denying and cannot get out of their contradiction, looking for ways to justify their ideology by silencing other believing scientists. Most people are usually oblivious to their reality, are negligent, but they are not deniers as it is not easy to deny. We must take our responsibility seriously as everyone is responsible for their free will.
Is the slaughtering of animals a cruel action? Why not? Domesticated animals can be used in many ways besides food and riding on them such as skins are used for shoes and clothes, manure used as fertilizers, etc. If someone does not accept that they are specially created by their Owner to serve a purpose for them, they find the action cruel. However, if I am aware that these bounties have an Owner and if the Creator permits me, I can cut the animal or a vegetable for my consumption. The Owner of the universe doesn’t permit me to eat animals that eat meat such as cats and dogs. He tells me not to torture or be aggressive to any animal but respect them as a gift from their Creator.
For example, if one doesn’t believe in the purpose of a watermelon in its creation; they either wouldn’t feel the watermelon is being hurt when they are cutting and eating it, or they would feel guilty and see the act as cruel. Human beings are given senses where killing living beings without any purpose is not lovable or enjoyable unless there is some purpose. The purpose in their existence, the slaughtering of a vegetable or an animal must be learnt from their Creator. There is a correlation between human feelings and the rest of creation. I must realize that this relationship is a conscious arrangement by a Conscious Creator. If one doesn’t accept this, their actions become criminal in a way. For example, to survive one must kill an animal or plants. Those who reduce their existence to be the result of actions of unconscious matter, thus seeing them as purposeless beings, why are they talking about being kind to them? Since their feelings do not accept it, either they should accept that those feelings are created deliberately by a One who created the animals purposefully for human beings to be consumed as their food, or if they deny the Creator then they should follow their feelings and not kill and eat any of them. Why do some act against one’s feelings? A believer says that: “I don’t want to hurt anything, but their Creator allowed me to benefit from them to fulfill my needs. My needs are created by the Creator of the animals who is the Owner of everything in the universe and gives me the permission to benefit from them.” This is understandable. But those who deny the Creator and still act against their feelings are in an obvious contradiction in their ideology and their action.
The Qur’an mentions not to eat anything without remembering that it is within the permission of my Creator. “وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ ٱسْمُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ” (Qur’an 6:121) translates as “Do not eat of what is not remembered God’s Name on them.” The verse is drawing our attention while benefiting from any kind of food to remembering that their owner gave you permission and you are receiving His gift to you. This does not only apply to animals only but applies to everything else as well. To eat anything without the permission of its Creator becomes a criminal action ( فِسْقٌۭ). This does not mean that I am fine by uttering “In the name of God, Bismillah” before slaughtering the animal. I must know what the meaning behind this act is. I must realize that my Creator is the One who provides this animal as nourishment and bounty to me. I must remember that I am benefitting from the animal or plant as a grace from my Lord, with His permission. My belief in God must come with my realization in knowing who is the owner of the bounty that I am benefitting from. This consciousness must always be kept alive.
وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مَنَـٰفِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ ۖ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ
36:73 They have other benefits from them, including [milk] to drink. Will they not then be grateful?
The Qur’an gives some general examples and one can continue with many other things that we are enjoying and benefiting from in this universe. For example, everyone wants to enjoy some relaxing time in the open air enjoying sunlight which is also a benefit. We must realize the constant arrangement of the universe that corresponds to human feelings. If someone asks me: Why do you believe in the concept of God? There is a perfect correspondence between my body and my feelings and the meaningful existence of the universe which makes sense. My consciousness tells me not to deny this conscious arrangement by a Conscious Creator, otherwise, denial would hurt me, which is a sign telling me that I am contradicting the reality of my existence.
How do we understand the phrase “أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ”, translated as “will they not be grateful”? Is it just because we benefited from the meat, milk, riding them, or enjoying sunshine for example? We must be grateful to their Creator, see that He is taking care of us, treating us as His guests. He is the One who created my needs and the One who is satisfying those needs. It is through paying attention to the actions happening in the universe which I see as meaningful, purposeful, do I conclude that the creation of the universe is meaningful. I further conclude that there is meaning and purpose to my existence as well. When I understand that I am created by the One who creates the universe, arranges everything consciously then my feelings including intellect and conscience, get satisfied. I understand that everything is created for my benefit, and I can enjoy the creation of the bounties only when I acknowledge this. When my body is given death, I am satisfied that my Conscious Creator is doing it for my benefit as He did when He gave me a living body in this world. Everything is well arranged, and death is also well arranged by the same Creator. This life with benefits only makes sense by acknowledging the Creator of the universe.
If I don’t acknowledge the conscious arrangements by a Conscious Creator, then I contradict my feelings and feel the pain. The serious students of the Qur’an mention that thankfulness, gratefulness must primarily be for the belief in God.
How about the creation of harmful insects, poisonous snakes, are we expected to despise them? Although they are harmful insects to our bodies, we must be thankful for their existence. Why? The existence of the creations has a purpose and meaning to them. For example, the poisonous snake is made that way by its Creator. All creatures benefit us in some way. For example, the sense given to me tells me not to have insects inside my house as they can harm me. I must respect this sense which is given by the One who creates the harmful insect. The news by my Creator says that I created those insects for other purposes. When I protect myself from their contact with me, I am obeying the command of my Creator who created the sense of dislike within me for being in contact with those harmful insects. My Creator’s verbal explanation tells me to keep away from harmful beings. In His creational side of the universe, I must listen to my senses. I am given the sense to stay away without criticizing their creation from harmful germs and viruses which are created for other purposes.
How about the creation of death? I am given the sense of dislike for death and should keep away from it. What is the purpose in its creation then? I should not kill myself but see that there is a purpose and wisdom in the creation of death. One aspect of death tells me not to like transient pleasure, not to get attached to temporary things as I am created for permanent satisfaction, eternal happiness. I am expecting this from my Creator to keep His promise which He has kept so far, that He will keep it after He gives me death. That is the benefit of being grateful to my Lord.
I must study the Qur’an with the background of the existential meaning of the universe and my human feelings. The combination of the universe, my human feelings and the Qur’anic teachings work together, which is how I benefit from them without feeling any contradiction and thus having a satisfactory meaningful life.